Award-winning Viking River Cruises take to the sea

In 2015, Viking River Cruises will take destination cruising from the rivers to the ocean, with the maiden season of the Viking Star.

The ship will hold 928 passengers in five different categories, the smallest stateroom will measure 270 square feet, and all will have a veranda and king beds, some of which can be separated into two twins.

They are bringing their all-inclusive philosophy to ocean cruising. Included at no additional cost are free Wi-Fi; beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; one shore excursion in each port of call; 24 hour room service; specialty dining restaurants.

Viking Star offers multiple restaurant locations and food choices, so get ready for a culinary journey. Unlike other cruise lines, where popular opinion holds that you have to dine in the specialty restaurants to get the best food, Viking’s philosophy is that the main dining room should have fantastic, if not the best food on the ship. The main venue, The Restaurant, as well as the World Café, have floor to ceiling windows that open up for al fresco dining. You can also dine al fresco at the Aquavit Terrace. The specialty dining experiences onboard include the Italian Grill; Chef’s Table; and The Kitchen Table, which offers cooking classes during the day and becomes a cooking/dining experience at night. Viking Star offers more al fresco dining experiences than any ship at sea.

With two-story panoramic windows, a selection of craft beers, and the Viking Deli, the Explorer’s Lounge located at the bow of the ship is the perfect place to relax and take in the scenery. Or try an afternoon tea service at the Wintergarden, a serene spot located around the main pool area. There are two pools, the main pool with a retractable roof so you can swim in any weather, and check out the first ever glass-backed infinity pool that cantilevers off the stern of the ship! Spend some time in the Scandinavian spa, where you can go from the hot sauna to cooling off in the snow grotto, where flakes actually cascade from the ceiling.

The inaugural season will offer cruises in the Baltic, Aegean, and Mediterranean. Each cruise will start and end with an overnight in port, have no more than one sea day, and will spend an average of 12 hours in each port of call.

Enrichment is key with Viking, so before you step foot on shore, you will get insights from history experts and academic luminaries in the theater, chosen by the Viking Enrichment Board.